Available online a t www.pelagiaresearchlibrary.com Pelagia Research Library European Journal of Experimental Biology, 2013, 3(3):431-438 ISSN: 2248 –9215 CODEN (USA): EJEBAU Evaluation of Khorramabad’s physical changes and its green space using remote sensing data Ahmad Beiranvand 1* , Amir EslamBonyad 1 and Javad Soosani 2 1Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Guilan University, Iran 2Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Iran ______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT A city usually changes and develops due to various factors throughout its life. Urban green space is one of the most important assets and effective factors for every city. Environmental effects are the most significant function of urban green space, which may increase the biological quality of cities. The present research intends to study Khorramabad’s physical changes and its urban green space. It applies the empirical research method where aerial photos taken in 1956, 1974, and 1994 as well as the image captured by Quick Bird Satellite in 2006 were used and analyzed. First, geometric corrections of the photos were made and their orthophotos were provided. The physical changes of the city were specified by means of the aerial photos and satellite images taken in different years. Moreover, dot grid was used to calculate the urban green space during these years. Results show that city area has become 2.09 times larger in the 18-year period (1956-1974), 3.34 times larger within the 20-year period (1974- 1994), and 1.86 times larger in the 12-year period (1994- 2006). The ratios of the green space area to the whole urban area in these years are 10.42, 9.67, 15 and 9.1, respectively. Statistical test results show that there is a significant difference between green space percentage in 1994 and those of other years. However, there is not a significant difference between green space percentages of 1956, 1974 and 2006. In general, Khorramabad green space is not proportional to universal standards, and the city’s green space growth is slow if compared to its physical development process. Keywords : Aerial photos, Khorramabad, dot grid, changes 1. Introduction 1.1. Statement of the Problem A city is similar to a living organism. The people and their activities as well as its spirit and anatomy are like the body of this living thing. Each city usually changes and develops because of different factors. However, a good city is the one whose structure meets its people’ needs due to changes with time. Every city has its own characteristics, but it is generally similar to other cities regarding its form and duties. Whatever we learn from studying a city may be useful in other studies [21].Uncontrolled population increase and the enhancing growth of urbanization have been among the main reasons for changes and development of a city, especially in developing countries, in recent years [32].Along with this high rate of urbanization, the increasing growth of development plans either consciously or unconsciously resulted in environmental, economic and social warnings in 1970s. In response to the problems and crises arisen from the above-mentioned events, new concepts and approaches were introduced, such as sustainable development, environmental equity, modern urbanization, and more recently, intelligent development [7].The declaration of sustainable development as the main slogan of the third millennium is also due to the effects exerted by cities on the biosphere and different aspects of human life. No doubt, discussion about stability and sustainable development, without considering cities and urbanization, is nonsense. In fact, urban stability and global stability are both a single concept [16]. Studies on the factors influencing cities and their orientation may serve as a suitable 431 Pelagia Research Library Ahmad Beiranvand et al Euro. J. Exp. Bio., 2013, 3(3):431-438 _____________________________________________________________________________ guideline for better indentifying the effective factors and their rates of effectiveness [10].Drought is not only the world’s costliest natural event, collectively affecting more people than any other form of natural hazard [30], but it is also one of the most difficult phenomena to define. Cities, serving as centers for human life and activities, must adopt structure and function from natural systems to guarantee their stability. Green spaces, as inseparable and necessary elements in the skeleton of cities, play an essential role in this connection; therefore, their absence may lead to serious disorders in the life of cities [20].The green space in each city is one of its most significant assets. Environmental effects are the most important function of an urban green space, enhancing the quality of city life [17]. Green spaces, known as the “green lungs” of a city, are especially important not only in providing physical and physiological health but also in ensuring the welfare of people’s city life [13].When we accept that green spaces are the lungs of a city and their absence means lack of physical and mental health in cities, their importance becomes more tangible parallel with industrial development [15].It is necessary to use remote sensing data for the better management of urban development arising from urban activities [1].Aerial photos are among the oldest remote sensing data, which have ever received attention due to recording some information on the past earth. The significance of this valuable source doubles when studying the changes of land cover so that future generations will also need this basic data in spite of using advanced satellite one [27]. 1.2. Significance of the Problem Studies on the physical development of cities and its influencing factors are one of the ways that helps us to have a more realistic prediction. As stated earlier, each city has its own characteristics. However, such studies many be effective for decision-making in many respects, showing realities in the discussions on urban development. It is necessary to have a successful and efficient planning in urban green space and forestry not only to spend budget and use financial resources, but also to recognize the conditions, requirements, and potentials of the region with respect to its vegetation [31].Thus, if we are interested in helping people to enjoy a better life in an urban world, it becomes immediately essential to study these environments and urban green space. 1.3. Goals and Objectives The main goal of this research is to study Khorramabad’s physical changes and urban green space using remote sensing data. Also, its objective is to provide the procedural map of the spatial changes in Khorramabad. 1.4. Research Background Scohottke et al. [29] and Dykes [11], pointing to the increase of population and ecological problems in urban areas, emphasize the need for an advanced remote sensing technology to obtain detailed precise data on land use for urban management and planning. Using remote sensing data and GIS, many domestic and foreign researchers have studied urban application changes and land cover in cities, some of whom include Rabiei et al. [24] studying Isfahan, Jahadi[18] dealing with Rasht, Fattahi[12] studying Qom, Borges et al. [8] dealing with São Paulo in Brazil, Krunduet al. [19] studying eastern Mau in China, as well as Slover studying Washington in the United States. Panahi[22]and Andarz et al . [3] introduce dot grid on aerial photos as a suitable method for estimating canopy cover percentage in urban forestry. Goel Cohen [9] has estimated the minimum standard green space to be 10 to 15m2 per person according to each country’s climate, having introduced this standard as 20 percent of the whole urban area according to another criterion. 1.5. Questions and Hypotheses 1.5.1. It is possible to prepare a model for spatial changes of Khorramabad using remote sensing data. 1.5.2. Changes in Khorramabad’s green space become significant with time. 1.6. Methodology 1.6.1. Obtaining Data from Aerial Photos and Satellite Image Required geometric corrections, such as displacement due to height difference and non-horizontal negative plate, were conducted by means of PCI 9.1 Software and using the data including camera type, focal distance, marginal points of photos, height digital model, ground control points and common double points between photos and surveying obtained from the aerial photos of the region. The orthophoto of the region was also prepared for the aerial photos at this Software environment [23] (See Fig. 1) 432 Pelagia Research Library Ahmad Beiranvand et al Euro. J. Exp. Bio., 2013, 3(3):431-438 _____________________________________________________________________________ ( ( a) (b) Fig. 1.Orthophoto picture (a), and non-orthophoto picture (b) For geometric correction and geocode of photos, 11 ground control points in each photo and 11 common double points between photos and surveying were used in definite areas of such reliefs as road junctions and/or marker lines. After conducting geometric corrections and preparing the orthophotomosaic of the aerial photos, urban borders were determined in an Arc GIS environment through visual interpretation [2] up to the points where the city did not lose its discontinuity, in a way that residential areas were compact and continuous, and the dispersed suburban areas were not studied. After locating city borders in each period, its area and place-time development was studied by means of Arc GIS. To estimate the green space area in different periods, regular dot grid with land dimensions of 10×10m was used in PCI Geomatic Software environment [26]. In this study, all the points located on tree crowns and in the existing green spaces of different areas are counted. However, if a point is located exactly on the regional borderline, it is counted as half a point. Moreover, if the larger part of a point is located inside the city border, it is counted; otherwise, it is excluded [34].